Reimagining the Future of Entrepreneurship Support Organisations in East Africa

The report outlines a range of solutions needed at the organization and systems level across four priority areas:

• Improving ESO financial sustainability: Funding models to reduce ESOs’ overreliance on grants, including earned income, cost reduction, and alternative financing mechanisms.

• Refining ESO program design: Development of technical programs tailored to sector or company stage, as well as those that build markets and expand program features.

• Strengthening ESO leadership, governance, and impact measurement. Strengthening ESOs’ internal capacities—including impact management, accountability, talent recruitment and retention.

• Strengthening the entrepreneurship ecosystem: Fostering solutions that encourage dialogue, collaboration, knowledge sharing, and resource pooling among ESOs, donors, and investors.